Car parking clash settled in court

Court Reporter

A row over parking outside a Mansfield shop brought a Huthwaite man up before magistrates.

Rhett Lea Cheetham, 25, of Oakland Court, admitted using threatening and abusive language and behaviour in the dispute at the One Stop on Madeline Court, in Mansfield, on January 28.

Mark Salt, prosecuting, said Nick Hutchinson, the shopkeeper, put a note on Cheetham’s Audi to complain about his ‘inconsiderate’ parking while Cheetham drank in a nearby pub.

The court heard Cheetham found the note and went into the shop where he made a sarcastic comment to Mr Hutchinson and the row escalated into pushing and shoving.

David Verity, mitigating, said: “He does show remorse. He felt the note was unnecessary. He says Mr Hutchinson was immediately verbally aggressive which sparked things off.

“There was pushing and shoving and Mr Hutchinson kicked him out of the shop.”

Cheetham left before police arrived, but was arrested on February 22 when officers found a small quantity of cocaine in his pocket.

The court heard he had six previous convictions for violent offending and, in November last year, received a 12 month community order for assault.

Sarah Alderton, for the probation service, said: “He accepts he struggles with anger management. He acknowledges that he needs to address his behaviour.

“When he was at school he was bullied. Since leaving school he has developed a reputation where he feels he has to show anger. He says he is now ashamed by his behaviour.”

Magistrates gave Cheetham a 12 month community order to run alongside the existing order made in November 2015.

He was ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and attend an 18 day rehabilitation activity requirement, and must pay a £60 victim surcharge.

He was also fined £40 and told to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge for a speeding offence on July 30 last year when he was caught driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone. Three points were added to his license.